EU R&D Project

Secure post-quantum voice communication for space research

COSMOS-SECURE explores post-quantum cryptography and optimized communication interfaces for secure voice communication in space environments, supporting resilient communication between ground personnel, astronauts, spacecraft, space stations, and satellite-connected ground stations.

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Project acronym

COSMOS-SECURE

Project code

NFP401101C907

Programme

Programme Slovakia

Fund

European Regional Development Fund

Implementation

01/2026 – 12/2029

Co-financed by the European Union

This project is co-financed by the European Union under Programme Slovakia.

Co-funded by the European Union — Programme Slovakia — Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic

Overview

About COSMOS-SECURE

COSMOS-SECURE is a research and development project focused on the security of voice communication in space environments. The project addresses the emerging risks connected with quantum computing by exploring post-quantum cryptographic methods and secure communication architectures suitable for mission-critical space communication scenarios.

Post-Quantum Security

Research into cryptographic algorithms designed to protect communication against future quantum-enabled attacks.

Secure Voice Communication

Exploration of secure voice communication systems for ground-to-space, space-to-ground, and satellite-enabled scenarios.

Space Communication Interfaces

Research into efficient and resilient communication interfaces suitable for demanding space environments.

Research

Research Focus

Pillar 1

Post-quantum cryptographic algorithms for voice communication in space

This research activity focuses on the analysis, optimization, implementation, and testing of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms for secure voice communication in space environments. It examines latency, computational complexity, reliability, key distribution, and resilience against quantum-enabled attacks.

Led by Decent Cybersecurity s. r. o.

Pillar 2

Optimal and efficient communication interfaces for voice communication in space

This research activity focuses on identifying and validating communication interfaces suitable for space voice communication, including radio-frequency, optical, satellite, relay, hybrid, and adaptive communication scenarios. The activity also considers communication latency, signal quality, cyber protection, and simulation of realistic operating conditions.

Led by FREQUENTIS Solutions & Services s. r. o.

Consortium

Project Consortium

The project is implemented by a specialized Slovak consortium combining cybersecurity, post-quantum cryptography, mission-critical communication systems, and space communication expertise.

Applicant and Project Coordinator

Decent Cybersecurity s. r. o.

Decent Cybersecurity contributes expertise in cybersecurity, post-quantum cryptography, secure systems, blockchain infrastructure, and advanced R&D for mission-critical environments.

View Partner Presentation

Project Partner

FREQUENTIS Solutions & Services s. r. o.

FREQUENTIS Solutions & Services contributes expertise in mission-critical voice communication systems, air traffic management, system engineering, testing, and space-related communication environments.

View Partner Presentation

Outputs

Expected Project Outputs

Post-quantum cryptographic module for voice communication in space

Research report on optimization of post-quantum algorithms for space applications

Prototype of a secure communication solution for space applications

Patterns of optimal communication interfaces for voice communication in space

Methodology for certification of post-quantum cryptographic solutions for space applications

Planned outputs are expected to reach validation in a laboratory environment corresponding to TRL 4.

Timeline

Implementation Timeline

01/2026
Start of main research activities
2026
Analysis, architecture, and research foundations
2026–2028
Optimization, prototyping, simulation, and laboratory testing
2028–2029
Validation, documentation, outputs, and dissemination
12/2029
Completion of main project activities

News

Project News

12 May 2026

Frequentis in Space: Ground-Based Communication Behind the World's Most Demanding Missions

From NASA's Artemis programme to ESA's mission control and Europe's commercial spaceports, Frequentis delivers the ground-based voice communication infrastructure behind the world's most demanding space missions — and brings that heritage into COSMOS-SECURE.

19 August 2026

Digital Sovereignty and the Future of Secure Space Research Communication

Secure communication is becoming a strategic capability for Europe's space research ecosystem. Digital sovereignty depends not only on access to technology, but on trusted infrastructure, cryptographic control, resilient supply chains and the ability to protect sensitive cooperation over time.

12 August 2026

When Trust Is Tested: Incident Response for Secure Communication Systems

Secure communication depends on trust in identities, keys, certificates, systems and partners. When that trust is challenged by an incident, organisations need prepared procedures, clear ownership and the ability to respond without losing control of the communication environment.

5 August 2026

Beyond Message Content: Why Metadata Security Matters in Space Research

Encryption protects the content of communication, but metadata can still reveal sensitive patterns, relationships and operational details. In space research, metadata security must be part of trusted communication design.

29 July 2026

Trusted Updates: Protecting the Software Supply Chain in Space Research

Software updates are essential to maintaining secure systems, but they also form part of the trust chain. In space research environments, update integrity, supplier assurance and cryptographic signing are critical to resilient communication infrastructure.

22 July 2026

Zero Trust in Space Research: Verifying Every Connection

Space research environments are distributed, collaborative and technically complex. Zero Trust offers a practical security model for verifying users, systems, services and partners before granting access to sensitive communication channels.

15 July 2026

From Compliance to Resilience: A Better Security Model for Space Research

Compliance remains important, but it is not enough on its own. Space research requires communication systems that can withstand disruption, adapt to new threats and maintain trust across complex technical and organisational environments.

8 July 2026

Interoperability Without Compromise: Secure Communication Across Research Partners

Space research depends on cooperation between organisations, systems and technical environments. Interoperability is essential, but it must be designed in a way that protects trust, data integrity and secure communication.

1 July 2026

Long-Term Confidentiality: Protecting Space Research Data Beyond Today's Threats

Some data remains sensitive long after it is created. For space research, long-term confidentiality requires communication systems that can protect information not only against current cyber threats, but also against future cryptographic risks.

24 June 2026

Key Management: The Foundation of Trusted Space Research Communication

Strong encryption is only as reliable as the way cryptographic keys are managed. In space research communication, key management is central to confidentiality, authentication, integrity and long-term resilience.

17 June 2026

Securing the Ground Segment: Why Space Communication Starts on Earth

Space cybersecurity is often associated with satellites and orbital systems, but many of the most important security decisions are made on the ground. Ground stations, control centres, partner networks and research infrastructure form the backbone of trusted space communication.

10 June 2026

Cyber Resilience in Space Research Requires Trusted Partnerships

Secure communication in space research is not delivered by one organisation or one technology alone. It depends on trusted partnerships, shared security assumptions and practical cooperation across the full digital ecosystem.

3 June 2026

Secure by Design: Building Trusted Communication for Space Research

Secure communication cannot be added at the end of a project. For space research environments, trust must be built into the architecture from the beginning — across identity, encryption, key management, monitoring, resilience and governance.

27 May 2026

Preparing for the Post-Quantum Transition: First Steps for Organisations

The transition to post-quantum cryptography will be one of the most important cybersecurity changes of the coming years. Organisations that depend on secure communication should begin with visibility, prioritisation and a realistic migration plan.

20 May 2026

Crypto-Agility: A Foundation for Future-Ready Secure Communication

Cryptographic systems cannot remain static. As standards, technologies and threats evolve, organisations need communication architectures that can adapt without disruption. Crypto-agility is becoming a core requirement for long-term cyber resilience.

13 May 2026

Why Post-Quantum Security Matters for Space Research Communications

Space research depends on secure, trusted and long-lived communication systems. As the post-quantum transition begins, organisations must prepare now to protect sensitive data, research collaboration and future mission infrastructure.

10 May 2026

Quantum Readiness Is Becoming an Urgent Cybersecurity Priority

A recent McKinsey analysis highlights why organisations should start preparing now for the post-quantum transition. For space research, critical infrastructure and secure communications, crypto-agility is no longer optional.

2026

COSMOS-SECURE project website launched

The official website of the COSMOS-SECURE project has been launched to provide public information about project objectives, partners, activities, and expected outputs.

2026

Research activities prepared by the project consortium

The consortium is preparing research activities focused on post-quantum cryptography and secure communication interfaces for space voice communication.

2026

COSMOS-SECURE supports secure communication for future space environments

The project contributes to research into resilient and quantum-safe communication methods for mission-critical space communication scenarios.

Interested in COSMOS-SECURE?

Contact the project team for information about project activities, dissemination, cooperation, or communication related to COSMOS-SECURE.